AfCFTA Celebrates Africa Day

Accra, 25 May 2022 (TDI): AfCFTA is celebrating Africa Day today under the theme ‘Year of Nutrition’.

AfCFTA emphasized the significance of the agricultural value chain under the umbrella of the AfCFTA. Also, AfCFTA Secretariat speaks highly of how such a value chain can contribute to a solution to food nutrition challenges.

Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of AfCFTA, pointed out earlier today that when they are celebrating Africa Day, they are actually celebrating the journey to achieve the pan-African aspirations. During the journey, AfCFTA is a chance for the African continent to attain a single market. Besides, a single market is also a part of the pan-African aspirations.

Africa Day and AfCFTA’s Pan-African Aspirations

59 years ago, in 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) started to contribute to the continent on May 25. 20 years ago, OAU stepped down from the stage of history in the year 2002. During nearly 40 years in duty, OAU finally accomplished its primary goal which is the independence of countries across the African continent.

With the development of globalization and also the establishment of the African Union (AU), the primary task to promote the development of the continent cannot realize without the aspiration of pan-Africa.

Agenda 2063 launched by AU shows how wishful the continent is to achieve its integration from diversified perspectives. Agenda 2063 seeks to deliver on a set of Seven Aspirations. These 7 Aspirations reflect the desire that African countries hold for shared prosperity and well-being, unity and integration, for continental development.

Such a great goal can not become real without efforts in different fields. Therefore, AfCFTA is established to work on building one integrated market across the African continent. With one continental market and flourishing in inter-continent business, African countries can achieve pan-African aspirations in trade. Moreover, the achievement of the one market will also bring pan-African aspirations a new and significant meaning.

AfCFTA and the Year of Nutrition

The consistency of COVID-19 and the outbreak of the Russian-Ukraine conflict is increasing insecurity in Africa’s food security. Under the theme of the Year of Nutrition, AfCFTA has been working hard on the agricultural value chain in Africa. In addition, AfCFTA’s work on food security this year is not built in a day. Last year, to support the implementation of AfCFTA, FAO, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, launched the Framework for Boosting Intra-African Trade in Agricultural Commodities and Services in April 2021. This Framework provides policy makers, private sectors, agricultural sectors, and other stakeholders with guidance to improve their collaboration.

At the same time, besides making continental strategies, AfCFTA is also working on direct development in the agricultural sector. To improve the value chain, AfCFTA especially emphasizes the significance of digitizing agricultural production across the continent. Meanwhile, AfCFTA also pays specific attention to vulnerable groups and their empowerment during the development of agriculture.

With the collaboration of the urgent needs of the continent and the integration of all kinds of resources, AfCFTA is a typical representative of today’s pan-African aspirations.